Chinese authorities have confirmed an attack on security personal at a checkpoint in the restive far western region of Xinjiang, which a U.S.-backed radio service said left five dead.

The official confirmation came in an article by the local government about public study sessions against terrorism, apparently set up in response to the Friday attack, although the article provided few details.

In a Sunday report, Radio Free Asia said assailants stabbed two police officers guarding a security checkpoint in Qaraqash county and set fire to a room in which three other officers were sleeping, killing all five.

The local government article Tuesday said militia members manning a checkpoint were killed. Confirmation of such attacks can be difficult, because authorities often play down attacks targeting symbols of power. […] [Source]